Here are some things to remember while you're planning your next trail adventure:

Trails may be loops or they may be out-and-back trails. Some trails may have more than one trailhead, or may require you to shuttle between trailheads. Check the online maps to be sure you know before you go.

Some trails are part of a system of interconnected trails that give you an opportunity to select your route according to your skill level, endurance or just how much time you have to spend in the outdoors.

All trails here allow for foot traffic, some allow bicycling and there is one horse trail.

TVA trails include two-way traffic, so please watch out for an be courteous to others you might meet on the trail.

TVA opens new trails, closes trails for repairs and changes trails to ensure we're giving users the best possible experience while also taking care of the Valley's natural resource, so check back here for the latest information.

Trail Guide

With our improved guide to TVA's more than 170 miles of trails, finding the right destination for you has never been easier. Consult the map or table below, which is sorted by state and reservoir. You'll find detailed trail descriptions, the inside line
on difficulty levels, information about amenities, maps, distance, uses and any relevant notes that might affect or enhance your experience. Sixteen of TVA's trails wind through Small Wild Areas, nature preserves that offer stunning views and access
to rich natural resources. Click here to find a trail that runs through one of TVA's Small Wild Areas. Bonus: The Appalachian Trail crosses TVA
land at Fontana and Watauga dam reservations!

Topographical Maps

Most of the trails are overlaid on topographic (or topo) maps. Topo maps are an attempt to show real variations in elevation on a flat map. If you know how to read a topo map, the map itself can tell you a lot. Here are a few tips to help you out.

Trail Safety

Minimize risks and maximize fun. Get tips for keeping yourself—and the environment around you—safe and sound while you're out on a hike. Read more about trail safety.

Hiking in the Wild

Trails through TVA's Small Wild Areas let Tennessee Valley residents get up close and personal with some of the most exceptional natural and scenic resources in the region. There are sixteen ways to go "where the wild things are." Find a Small Wild Area trail near you.

Get Even Wilder

If Small Wild Areas sound too tame for you, perhaps you'd like to forge your own trail own trail through even wilder lands. You can walk freely in the woods on the nearly 293,000 acres of the undeveloped land TVA manages Valleywide as part of its mission of service. Learn more about this land—and see our Undeveloped Recreation Map—on our Recreation on Undeveloped TVA Public Lands page.

Adopt a TVA Trail

TVA manages more than 30 public trails (150 miles) along the Tennessee River and its tributaries and on reservoir lands. You can help us by protecting and monitoring the trails to instill a legacy of conservation. Learn how to volunteer.

The trails marked in red are open for hiking only; blue are open for hiking and biking; and yellow are open for hiking, biking and horseback riding.